Canadore’s innovation centre tied to economic development

Canadore College gave a sneak peek
recently at its high-tech innovation centre focused on helping
regional businesses grow.

The Innovation Centre for Advanced
Manufacturing and Production (ICAMP), which will open in September at
its Commerce Court Campus, is a first in Canada.

“They don’t exist in North America
for manufacturing,” said Charles Gagnon, Canadore's manager of
corporate relations. “There is one in England, and two in Germany
that we are aware of. It’s an historical moment for businesses in
North Bay.”

The centre’s main priority is
business development and expansion. Through unique partnerships,
companies will be able to conceptualize, design, prototype and
improve or test new products for the commercial marketplace. The
centre will be an incubator facility to assist in technology
transfer, act as a retention tool and stimulate business growth.

“ICAMP is not a college resource. It
is a regional resource for business, industry and the college to
support advanced manufacturing, production and design. It is an
unconventional approach, but it is the right approach,” said
college president and CEO George Burton.

With three partners on board, and
funding partners, Gagnon expects four more in the near future.

“We are continuing to develop these
relationships,” he said. “We really are the catalyst here and it
will lead to new programs, new students, and new business for the
companies.”

Canadore hosted a two-day conference in
February – Advanced Manufacturing to Enhance Your Bottom Line –
to introduce the centre and the technology that will be available.

ABB Robotics gave an overview of
industrial robots, Proto3000 demonstrated 3D laser scanning and
Javelin showed how 3D designs can be printed into actual models.
Canadore also displayed a virtual welder, which was operated
throughout the conference.

“Why ICAMP at Canadore?,” said
Burton. “It is a basic philosophy. Unless we are creating something
and making things, we lose our impetus to research and develop. Is it
a risk? Absolutely. But it fits well with our strategic vision as a
college.

“Innovation through creative ways is
a mechanism for economic development in the region we serve. We have
embarked on a bold vision.”

Javelin's Doug Angus-Lee said bringing
the kind of technology the company offers to the centre is a wise
move.

“I can see in the future that homes
will have these (3D) printers. If they need a part, like a door
handle for a fridge, the company can send a file and the part will be
printed at home,” he said.

The $3 million project has received
funding from the private sector, and the federal and provincial
governments. It will offer a 3D theatre, areas for design, assembly
and development and an equipment room. About $500,000 is going
towards renovations with the remainder being used to purchase
equipment.

North Bay Mayor Al McDonald said the
college plays an important role in the city, and its partnership has
never been stronger.

“Our role and responsibility is to
support these institutions as best we can,” he said.

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli challenged the
attendees to use innovation for “old school industries” like
mining, forestry and water power.

“How can we bring the ICAMP
innovation to the rocks, trees and water that we have in the North?”
he asked. “How can be bring modern solutions to these industries we
depend on?”

“ICAMP is a work in progress,” said
Burton. “It will never be completed and it is designed that way. It
is a living lab – a big serious sandbox that industry can play in.
It will allow for experimentation and development, concepts, products
and processes, in a high-yield, high-potential, low-risk and low-cost
environment.”